Changes for the 3rd Test

[Rookie]

No way we should change the batting order for this test, IMO. We need to back the original squad and

Watson has one more test to prove he can open. When he faila, I'd give him another test at six before stamping his cards permanently - I really think he will be discarded at the end of the Ashes.

Rogers - give him one more test. If he fails, bring back Warner. Or Katich. Or elevate Khawaja. Anyone. I hope Rogers can fire because we need someone to collapse-proof us.

Khawaja, Smith and Hughes have big question marks but there simply isn't anyone better. All three have played one decent innings and I think we need to back them. If they fail, at least we can rule a line through them for the return series and let them know the only way back is to do a Martyn / Hayden and dominate the Shield for several years before they get another look. If any of these three excel in the next three tests, we've found ourselves a player. Those that fail can be sent to cricketing Siberia. Let's figure out whether these kids have what it takes by giving them an extended crack. If they fail, at least we can dispense with them and make them earn their spots back over a number of years.

For the 4th and 5th tests, to replace whichever batsmen fail, we probably will go back to Warner. I'm not a fan of this move but seriously who else? Joe Burns might have been drafted into the squad if he had performed strongly in county cricket. Doolan maybe? Meh, lets just stick with what we have and review at the end to see what survived the flames.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Move Hughes back to 6 - that's where he was getting his runs. If not drop him then.
I think they'll only bring in Bird for Pattinson, as woeful as our batting has been, we've got no-one better.

 

[jko'neal]

If Bird doesn't get a game, he should look at switching countries, give me a break selectors. There's pies being thrown down by our bowlers Mrs Macs would be envious of

 

[Doodlesweaver]

Fair call. Even better can he keep?

Wouldn't let through any byes.

 

[Globular]

Cowan
Warner
Khawaja
Hughes
Clarke
Smith
Wade
Patto/Bird
Siddle
Harris
Ahmed

One of dozen batting lineups that could be picked, really comes down to which players you like. Whoever they pick they just have to give them time and develop and play regardless of results, it can't get worse. Honestly though it's a sad state when most batsmen bar Clarke have huge lists of reasons as to why they shouldn't be picked.

The bowler are less of a problem, Patto might get a rest and give Bird a game. While Agar's got hip flexor issues they might as well give Ahmed a call considering his story of fleeing the Taliban and becoming a citizen it would be some kind of good news story for the team.

 

[Jimthegreat]

I'd be bringing blokes over from the SA A tour. Doolan, Fawad and even Cummins. The last 3 Tests can be used for trying things out for the main Ashes contest, back here in Australia. Let's face it the winner there holds the Ashes for 3 years.

Watson is frustrating. Anderson and Broad freely admit he is close to the most difficult opening batsman to bowl to but that technique flaw gets him ALL the time after a good start. Essentially gets himself out as he goes out no other way. The reason he's stays in the side is because of his bowling plus there's nothing about to replace him.Doesn't want to push his luck though.

Rogers gives me the impression if he can score a 100 he'll be on his way.

Khawaja looked the part at least yesterday at no.3. Like Rogers, get his first 100 and he's on his way.

Doolan in at 4. Get him over from SA. Did well, admittedly against Zimbabwe, but it was an extraordinary low scoring game.

Clarke at 5

Warner at 6 hoping, like Gilly, he can change the course of a game. His hitting shouldn't be wasted against the new ball. Got nothing on the A tour first up but it was one very low scoring game.

Haddin...because we have no choice, he's the VC.

Then the bowlers

Cummins...get him over and give him some match fitness for the home series under Test match conditions. This series is gone.

Harris..speaks for himself

Fawad...need a gun leg spinner. Poms aren't comfortable against wrist spnners

Bird....like Siddle alot these days but Bird's style looks made for England.


This country is missing Hussey more than you can believe. With him there batting with Clarke we often turned 3/40 into 400-500+. They'd make a big partnership then then tail would provide admiral support. Hence why we should've beaten SA over here.

 

[The_Reaper]

I prefer Cummins playing for Australia A in South Africa and then springing him in at the WACA.

Probably need CA to stand in and make him play out the first half of the shield season for WA though.

 

[bird_man]

I'd be bringing blokes over from the SA A tour. Doolan, Fawad and even Cummins. The last 3 Tests can be used for trying things out for the main Ashes contest, back here in Australia. Let's face it the winner there holds the Ashes for 3 years.

Watson is frustrating. Anderson and Broad freely admit he is close to the most difficult opening batsman to bowl to but that technique flaw gets him ALL the time after a good start. Essentially gets himself out as he goes out no other way. The reason he's stays in the side is because of his bowling plus there's nothing about to replace him.Doesn't want to push his luck though.

Rogers gives me the impression if he can score a 100 he'll be on his way.

Khawaja looked the part at least yesterday at no.3. Like Rogers, get his first 100 and he's on his way.

Doolan in at 4. Get him over from SA. Did well, admittedly against Zimbabwe, but it was an extraordinary low scoring game.

Clarke at 5

Warner at 6 hoping, like Gilly, he can change the course of a game. His hitting shouldn't be wasted against the new ball. Got nothing on the A tour first up but it was one very low scoring game.

Haddin...because we have no choice, he's the VC.

Then the bowlers

Cummins...get him over and give him some match fitness for the home series under Test match conditions. This series is gone.

Harris..speaks for himself

Fawad...need a gun leg spinner. Poms aren't comfortable against wrist spnners

Bird....like Siddle alot these days but Bird's style looks made for England.


This country is missing Hussey more than you can believe. With him there batting with Clarke we often turned 3/40 into 400-500+. They'd make a big partnership then then tail would provide admiral support. Hence why we should've beaten SA over here.

Still people wanting to drop Siddle... What does he have to do FFS?

 

[Costanza_]

Not a fan of recalling Warner given his recent dickheadery. Not just recent TBH, more a lifestyle.

I guess give the same 6 another chance. If our batting is again deplorable - maybe when our batting is again deplorable - bring Warner and Cowan back to open. Watson to 4.

Really want to see Bird in the team. I guess the obvious out is Pattinson but the guy is probably our best bowler when on song. Not sure one bad test should mean he gets cut.

 

[Jimthegreat]

I prefer Cummins playing for Australia A in South Africa and then springing him in at the WACA.

Probably need CA to stand in and make him play out the first half of the shield season for WA though.

"A" tour should be over by the time the next Test starts?

 

[Jimthegreat]

Still people wanting to drop Siddle... What does he have to do FFS?

I was 50/50, just prefer the others in England conditions such as Bird and Harris. Depends who you'd play out of Pattinson and Siddle. Siddle's been the best of the two easily. I went the theoretical route on Cummins given the Ashes are gone and we have to look ahead to the home series but in reality Siddle I'd have in and leave Pattinson out.

 

[BLPC08]

Agar should be the first player dropped imo. His performance, on a spin-friendly deck, was well below par. Everyone pinning their hopes on his flukey 98 can forget about it, he's there to get wickets. Lyon is hopeless as well, so i'd go with an all out pace attack and include Starc in the team.

Hughes never should've been in the team to begin with. The sooner he's on the scrap-heap, the better. If Warner goes straight back after his pathetic effort against Zimbabwe, we'd may as well give up on the team. Cowan deserves another go.

In: Starc, Cowan.
Out: Agar, Hughes.

 

[The_Reaper]

I want Khawaja to open. Something worth trying in my opinion.

 

[Badesumofu]

Warner has been acting like a giant dickhead for months, has made no runs, is making no runs against the Zimbabwe Select XI, and half of you want him back in the side?

Agar looks really promising, but he didn't seem right in that second Test. Took what should have been 3 wickets in the second innings of the first. Is he right or not? If not, bring Ahmed into the squad. Poms clearly struggle against good wrist spin. He'll land it more consistently than Smith, and we can still bring Smith on for a few overs here and there.

Don't think we should chop and change the lineup too much, though. You can't keep replacing everyone after a couple of matches with players who are no better, then replace them a couple of matches after that because they also failed, on account of being no better than the first guy. Smith has recent runs, he should get a decent run in the side. Khawaja will also stay. Rogers should be given a longer go, and Hughes has shown some signs. Watson is probably close to his final chance, but I'm not sure who to replace him with. Faulkner isn't a top 6 batsman at this stage. Pattinson just isn't bowling well, if he doesn't improve in the tour game then Bird probably has to come in. He's pretty reliable, and I think he'd be effective. Patto just isn't so far.

It's a shame Bailey didn't make any runs in the Shield. He's been Australia's best ODI batsman over the last 12 months, and is a very good state captain.

 

[Belnakor]

Watch shield cricket. Cossie is actually very good in the slips. Just as long as he doesn't have to run.

can he fly like a gazelle?

 

[Skeppersap]

Agree with weaponsfree and showbags, it's madness to talk about dropping Agar and Khawaja.

Look, we're going to lose the ashes in a canter, that's pretty obvious. Now is Australia going to be better or worse off in the long term if those guys get a solid series of experience under their belts?

For Khawaja, I can't think of any one thing which is better for the future of Australian cricket than giving him six innings of batting facing Swann in his elemant, is just gold experience.

For different reasons, it's also great for Agar.

If fresh blood is wanted, drop Watson, Haddin, Rogers, the guys who have no real future in cricket.

My 11, which I'd like to see for every test this series.

Hughes
Warner
Khawaja
Clarke
Watson
Smith
Wade
Agar
Siddle
Harris
Pattinson

That's a batting heavy lineup, which ye gods we need. Watson holds a middle order spot by a bees dick for quick runs and his bowling, could also drop him entirely, bump everyone up one spot and tack starc on the end.

Your team here, with Watson out and Starc in, is the best team we can put out there. It is also good for the future of Australian Cricket.

Ryan Harris should be VC.

 

[frankrizzo]

Im a huge harris fan but a bloke who is fit twice a year isn't a great VC candidate.

 

[Skeppersap]

Ahmed is the best leg-spinner in Australia and could easily get 4-5 years out of him. He has character as well. We need to start picking guys on character, rather than just talent.

YOu have just totally reworked the side as a knee-jerk reaction to getting hammered.

I disagree with that side. I think Rogers, Watson and Haddin at least deserve to the end of our summer season. Disappointed some people have put the cue in the rack after 2 tests in with 8 to play.

We have the nucleus of a decent side in that we can take 20 wickets. No changes to the side, maybe put Clarke to 3. But other than that I'd like to see the side as selected.

How the hell do Haddin and Watson deserve till the end of the Australian summer (i.e. 8 more tests)?

How ridiculous. Haddin never deserved a recall, and has been absolutely embarrassing since getting in the side.

 

[medusala]

What about Maddinson?

 

[The_Reaper]

What about Maddinson?

Years away.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

What about Maddinson?

Needs to calm down and not try to be Warner.

 

[SHAKESPEARE]

Nfi...just switch it all up

 

[medusala]

Needs to calm down and not try to be Warner.

What to do then? We cant keep being 3/30. Something has to change. It is hardly one or two tests either. Watson isn't up to it (particularly vs Anderson). Neither is Cowan. Warner is in terrible form.

I would rather have Maddinson in there than watch Watson get yet another LBW and immediately refer it.

Katich has been getting a few runs lately. I would have him back in a heart beat, pity it wont happen.

 

[Cleavy]

I'm more intrigued about what the hell we're going to do for the home series.

 

[The_Reaper]

I'm more intrigued about what the hell we're going to do for the home series.

Bank on a win in Perth.

It has to be why England are playing in Alice Springs for the pre WACA test warmup.